Name: Barsha Khanal
Home Institution: Saint Michael’s College
Year in Fall 2024: Sophomore
Research Institution: University of Vermont
What I am researching: I am researching Toxoplasma gondii infection and its implications within the central nervous system, but mostly working on DNA.
Future Goals: My future Goal is to work in the medical field to help my community.
DYK (Did You Know?): I play volleyball and I love cooking.
Name: Elaine Gillan
Home Institution: Saint Michael’s College
Year in Fall 2024: Senior
Research Institution/company: Wargo Lab at UVM
What I am researching: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common opportunistic bacterial pathogen, particularly in those who are immunocompromised, burned, or have cystic fibrosis. The ability to detect sphingolipids is an important aspect of Pseudomonas virulence. In the Wargo lab, I am researching if Pseudomonas uses similar mechanisms as sphingolipid detection with other bacteria typically found in its environment.
Future goals: Earn an MPH in Epidemiology!
DYK (Did You Know?): I am a part of the Student Global AIDS Campaign at SMC where we do a lot of work in public health advocacy. At our Church St rally this past year, I met and spoke with Senator Bernie Sanders! (Act up! Fight AIDS!)
Name: Favio-Antonio Terrero Dupiton
Home institution: Landmark College
Year in Fall 2024: Senior
Research institution/company: The proteomics facility at the University of Vermont
What I am researching: My research is focused on systematically evaluating the performance of various peptide and protein quantification approaches using protein mixtures. In addition, I have worked with several UVM undergraduates in the lab to assist a couple of investigators with their projects, which include identifying protein-interacting partners and conducting exact mass measurements of synthetic peptides. Throughout this experience, I have gained knowledge in sample preparation, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry operation, software analysis, as well as statistical evaluation and visualization of data (such as using volcano plots and heat maps). I have also engaged in consultations and data discussions with investigators.
Future goals: My future goals include attending graduate school and pursuing a Ph.D. in biochemistry.
DYK (Did You Know?): I created a server on the Discord app to communicate with friends during the pandemic.
Name: Lauren Tuzik
Home institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Junior
Research institution/company: Stumpff Lab
Research Topic: I am currently researching the localization of mitochondria in undifferentiated and differentiated Neuro 2A cells with and without KIFBP. The purpose of this is to attempt to understand why some neurons are or are not able to develop and differentiate fully.
Future goals: I hope to continue to be involved in and research the intersection of science and medicine.
DYK (Did You Know?): Did you know I am a member of the Norwich Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
Name: Lucas Milazzo
Home institution: Vermont State University Castleton
Year in Fall 2024: Senior
Research institution/company: VBRN Bioinformatics Julie Dragons lab
What I am researching: Developing applications and tutorials to make the analysis of large RNAseq datasets more accessible to researchers.
Future goals: Create useful tools to help advance technology and research.
DYK (Did You Know?): I enjoy hiking, skiing, and photography.
Name: Madison Wan
Home institution: Landmark College
Year in Fall 2024: 10th Semester
Research institution/company: University of Vermont, Nutrition & Food Sciences
What I researched:
I’m researching mice and how having a high fat and high carbohydrate diet with binge drinking causes liver disease. For my poster, I will also be looking at how this impacts brain function.
Future goals: I hope to be a combat medic, and later, a paramedic in the future.
DYK (Did You Know?): I occasionally DJ with my parents for weddings, parties, and other events.
Name: Pratyasha Khanal
Home Institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Junior
Research Institution: Bia Diagnostics Laboratories
What I am researching: I test allergens and specialize in gluten, food authenticity, GMOs, and fermented beverages.
Future Goals: My future goals include becoming a travel nurse and conducting research, leveraging my experience at Bia Diagnostics Laboratories. Ultimately, I aspire to return to my country and contribute to laboratory advancements there.
DYK (Did You Know?): I enjoy playing ping pong and volleyball.
Name: Ogadi Peace
Home institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Senior
Research institution/company: VBRN
What I am researching: How a limit for nicotine standard for cigarettes affects adults dual users of both cigarettes and E-cigarettes.
Future goals: Understanding how drug dependence develops will be an important future goal to combat dependence measures, create nicotine addiction prevention and treatment strategies for addicts.
DYK (Did You Know?): I have a funny phobia for horror movies
Name: Rahisa Mohammed
Home institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Senior
Research institution/company: VBRN
What I am researching: My research focuses on epigenetics, utilizing various biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology methods to investigate how bromodomain-containing proteins recognize post-translational modifications on histones.
Future goals: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which bromodomain-containing proteins recognize histone modifications, developing targeted therapies for diseases linked to epigenetic dysregulation, and discovering new biomarkers for early diagnosis.
DYK (Did You Know?): I love reading books
Name: Rafiatu Naaja Sarbah
Home institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Senior
Research institution/company: VBRN
What I am researching:
Providencia alcalifaciens is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to order Enterobacterales and found in diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments and organisms. Providencia spp. exhibit high antimicrobial resistance, posing a major public health concern. Although associated with diarrheal illness in humans and animals, the pathogenic mechanisms of P. alcalifaciens remain poorly understood, necessitating further research. My research focuses on how the deletion of some specific genes in Wild Type Providencia impact vacuole lysis in intestinal epithelial cells.
Future goals: Go to Graduate School.
DYK (Did You Know?): I enjoy watching Anime and coding in my free time.
Name: Sarthak Dhakal
Home institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Junior
Research institution/company: Dr. Anathy’s Lab, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UVM
What I am researching: Using IHC (Immunohistochemistry) to analyze structural developments during Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis in mice lungs.
Future goals: Research Scientist
DYK (Did You Know?): Huge Manchester United fan!
Name: Selma Alhassan
Home institution: Norwich University
Year in Fall 2024: Sophmore
Research institution/company: VBRN
What I am researching: How Beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB) reduces the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines to reduce inflammation in asthmatic patients.
Future goals: Improving symptoms for allergic asthmatic patients to reduce its severity.
DYK (Did You Know?): I love nature and movies.